Evaporative Emission Controls for On-Road Motor Vehicles
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CARB administers a program for reducing evaporative and refueling emissions from on-road motor vehicles. These reductions are accomplished using specific emission standards and test procedures.
Current Regulations & Test Procedures
Regulations for controlling on-road motor vehicle evaporative and refueling emissions are set forth in Sections 1976 and 1978, title 13, California Code of Regulations (CCR). The regulation for establishing specifications for fill pipes and openings of motor vehicle fuel tanks is set forth in Sections 2235, title 13, CCR. These regulations can be found online through Westlaw “California Code of Regulations” at Section 1976, Section 1978, and Section 2235.
Evap Test Procedure: 2026+ MY
“California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2026 and Subsequent Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, Medium-Duty Vehicles, and Heavy-Duty Vehicles,” adopted August 25, 2022, incorporated by reference in Section 1976(c), title 13, CCR.Evap Standards and Test Procedure: 2001-2025 MY Cars & Trucks, 2001+ MY Motorcycles
"California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 through 2025 Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, Medium-Duty Vehicles, and Heavy-Duty Vehicles and 2001 and Subsequent Model Year Motorcycles," adopted August 5, 1999 (last amended August 25, 2022) incorporated by reference in section 1976(c), title 13, CCR.Refueling Standards and Test Procedure: 2001+ MY
“California Refueling Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles,” adopted August 5, 1999 (last amended August 25, 2022), incorporated by reference in Section 1978(b), title 13, CCR.Fill Pipe Spec 2015+ MY
"Specifications for Fill Pipes and Openings of 2015 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicle Fuel Tanks,” as of October 1, 2019 (last amended May 31, 2019), incorporated by reference in Section 2235, title 13, CCR.
Previous Rulemakings
ACC II (LEV IV) Amendments
On August 25, 2022, the evaporative emission regulation was amended to tighten the running loss evaporative emission standard for all vehicle classes, with full phase-in by model year 2028. Also, a minimum canister size requirement was added for vehicles with fuel tank pressure exceeding a particular threshold. For more information, refer to Advanced Clean Cars II Rulemaking.Amendments to the Fill Pipe Regulation: October 25, 2018
CARB's board adopted proposed amendments to California Code of Regulations title 13, section 2235 and the associated test procedure. These regulations relate to the CARB's requirements for automakers motor vehicle fill pipes. For more information, refer to the Formal Rulemaking Documents.Follow-up to Tier 3
In 2015, the evaporative and refueling emission regulations were amended to adopt key elements of the federal Tier 3 regulations. For more information, refer to the Formal Rulemaking Document.LEV III Amendments
On March 22, 2012, the evaporative emission regulation was amended to introduce zero-evaporative emission standards for all vehicle classes, with full phase-in by model year 2022. Also, refueling test procedures were updated. For more information, refer to the Formal Rulemaking Documents of the March 2012 rulemaking. Minor amendments were adopted on December 6, 2012.Emission Warranty Amendments
In 2010, the evaporative and refueling emission regulations were amended as part of the emission warranty information reporting and recall rulemaking, which repealed the originally approved reporting and recall requirements of 2007. For more information, refer to the formal rulemaking documents of the 2010 rulemaking and of the 2007 rulemaking.Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Amendments
In 2009, the evaporative and refueling emission regulations were amended to incorporate test procedures for plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles.
Archive
Evaporative Test Procedure Streamlining Amendments
In 2006, CARB adopted technical amendments for streamlining the evaporative and refueling emission test procedures, without affecting the stringency of the existing emission standards.LEV II Amendments
In 1999, the evaporative emission standards were significantly reduced as part of the LEV II rulemaking.Evap Standards and Test Procedure: 1978-2000 MY
"California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 1978 Through 2000 Model Motor Vehicles," last amended August 5, 1999.Evap Standards and Test Procedure: 1978+ MY
"California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 1978 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles," as last amended May 22, 1997.Refueling Standards and Test Procedure: 1998-2000 MY
"California Refueling Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 1998 Through 2000 Model Motor Vehicles," last amended August 5, 1999.Fill Pipe Spec 1977-2014 MY
“Specifications for Fill Pipes and Openings of 1977 Through 2014 Model Motor Vehicle Fuel Tanks”1997 rulemaking on enhanced evaporative emission requirements for ultra-small volume manufacturers.
2003 minor amendments to the refueling emission requirements as part of the Heavy-Duty Gasoline Engines and Low-Emission Vehicle Rulemaking.